By Roger Mock

I learned a very simple yet very powerful new practice recently that I’d like to share with you. But first, let me preface it with some startling and empowering information from the field of neuroscience. You may have heard something like this before, but it bears repeating, and often. This is a quote from neuroscience researcher and chiropractor Dr. Joe Dispenza from an interview at Gaia.com:

“There are 1,300 chemicals that are released [in the body] that stimulate your immune system, that cause regeneration and repair the body. It turns out that 10 minutes of gratitude a day releases a chemical called immunoglobulin A, the primary defense against bacteria and viruses. Ten minutes of anger or impatience or frustration or fear turns on 1,200 different chemicals that cause the body to immobilize energy and suppress the immune system. So the person who’s feeling gratitude and those elevated emotions in the morning, and you check their blood values of immunoglobulin A at the end of the day – it’s still elevated.”

I have learned that if I am feeling emotionally under par it is always the case that my gratitude practice has been slipping a bit. And when I’m feeling grateful, my whole body is feeling it, too. So here’s the practice I mentioned. It comes from Dr. Darren Weismann, the author of Power of Infinite Love & Gratitude. He simply suggests that you place a hand on your heart and repeat these words three times: “infinite love and gratitude.” It is particularly recommended to begin each day that way. Remember, gratitude experienced in the morning creates positive physical effects that are measurable all day.

I have been trying this out for the last month or so, and I have to tell you it feels really great. Words hold power and energy. When you say the words “infinite love and gratitude” while centering them in your heart, and you allow yourself to really feel the energy behind each of those words, it can bring an instantaneous feeling of relaxation and well-being that can derail the stress and anxiety that might otherwise inform your day. Do give it a try. Option: Weismann also likes to form his hand in the sign language symbol for “I love you” when he places it over the heart. I have found this to be a very healing practice and I know you will too.